Virtual Zoo - Vulpes vulpes Vulpes vulpes Genius: Vulpes Species: V. vulpes The Red Fox, or Vulpes vulpes, is also a carnivore that eats plants too. Its diet is very simple because the red fox mainly eats small animals and nuts and berries. In the winter, the red fox eats small animals such as hares, mice, and other types of small mammals. In the summer, the Red Fox can poach a farmer's chicken and depend entirely on them. The red fox can have at least 10 babies in a litter. It takes about 2-3 months for a red fox to be pregnant and give birth to kits. The kits will leave their mother after seven months since they are able to take care of themselves. Then, they are ready to make a family. Adult foxes usually live alone except when they are raising babies. The adult foxes will make a sound like "wuk..wuk..wuk" when they are bringing food for the baby foxes, so the baby foxes will know that it is their parent, not an intruder.

kjhkh Red foxes live all over the place; from North America, Central America, Europe, northern Asia, to even parts of Australia. They usually like to live in forests and brush lands. Red foxes can hear the noises that are going on underground and have an extraordinary sense of smell. The red fox is in the family Canidae and is sometimes described as cat-like dogs. They are mostly nocturnal and can adapt quickly to their surroundings. The importance of red foxes to the economy is their fur. The red fox isn't the only kind of fox though; there are fennec foxes, striped foxes and many others. Carnivores mainly came from the order Carnivora. There are 10 families in all. They are: Canidae, Ursidae, Procyonidae, Mustelidae, Viverridae, Hyaenidae, Felidae, Otariidae, Obdobenidae, and Phocidae. hkhk The family Canidae contains dogs, wolves, jackals, foxes, and other types of doglike members.

Ursidae contains all the bears and Procyonidae has all the raccoons. The family Mustelidae consists of skunks, mink, weasels, and badgers and they are very important to the economy because of their fur. Viverridae is the civet and mongoose family and the hyena family is in Hyaenidae. Felidae is the cat family and Otariidae contains the eared seals. Obdobenidae is the walrus family and Phocidae is the earless seal family. The families Otariidae, Obdobenidae, and Phocidae are also very important to the economy. They are important because of their blubber, bones, meat, tendons, and hides can be manufactured to all sorts of things. Carnivores are important to the environment because without them, our environment would be populated by herbivores. Carnivores are important in many different ways and they are also very unique. 123456789 Vulpes vulpes Introductory WILDLIFE SPECIES: Vulpes vulpes AUTHORSHIP AND CITATION : Tesky, Julie L.

1995. Vulpes vulpes. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: [ ]. ABBREVIATION : VUVU COMMON NAMES : red fox fox TAXONOMY : The currently accepted scientific name for the red fox is Vulpes vulpes Linn. Red foxes belongs to the family Canidae. Historically red foxes were classified as two species, Vulpes vulpes in the Old World and V. fulva in the New World, but today they are considered to be one species [ 5 , 11 , 36 ].

Hall [ 11 ] recognizes ten subspecies of red fox: Vulpes vulpes abietorum Merriam Vulpes vulpes alascensis Merriam Vulpes vulpes cascadensis Merriam Vulpes vulpes fulva (Desmarest) Vulpes vulpes harrimani Merriam Vulpes vulpes kenaiensis Merriam Vulpes vulpes macroura Baird Vulpes vulpes necator Merriam Vulpes vulpes regalis Merriam Vulpes vulpes rubricosa Bangs Red foxes interbreed with kit foxes (V. velox) [ 1 ]. ORDER : Carnivora CLASS : Mammal FEDERAL LEGAL STATUS : Vulpes vulpes necator is a Candidate for listing [ 39 ]. OTHER STATUS : Information on state- and province-level protection status of animals in the United States and Canada is available at NatureServe , although recent changes in status may not be included. WILDLIFE DISTRIBUTION AND OCCURRENCE WILDLIFE SPECIES: Vulpes vulpes GENERAL DISTRIBUTION : Red foxes are the most widely distributed carnivore in the world.

They occur throughout most of North America (except in the Great Plains and the extreme Southeast and Southwest), Europe, and Asia, and are found in parts of northern Africa. They have spread throughout much of Australia, where they were introduced in the late 1800's [ 30 , 36 ]. There is some question whether red foxes are native to North America. Churcher [ 6 ] hypothesized that red foxes were native to North America north of latitude 40 degrees North, but were scarce or absent in most of the vast hardwood forests where common gray foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) were abundant. Others believe that the North American red fox originated from the European red fox, which was introduced into the southeastern section of the United States around 1750. It may have interbred with the scarce indigenous population to produce a hybrid population [ 10 ]. The distribution of the ten subspecies of red fox is as follows [ 5 ]: V. v. abietorum - Occurs throughout western Canada V. v. alascensis - Occurs in Alaska, and Yukon Territory, and the Northwest Territories V. v.

cascadensis - Occurs along the northwest coast of the United States and British Columbia V. v. fulva - Occurs in the eastern United States V. v. harrimani - Occurs on Kodiak Island, Alaska V. v. kenaiensis - Occurs on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska V. v. macroura - Occurs throughout the Rocky Mountains V. v. necator - Occurs in California and Nevada V. v. regalis - Ranges from north-central Canada south to Nebraska and Missouri V. v.

rubricosa - Occurs in southern Quebec and Nova Scotia ECOSYSTEMS : FRES10 White-red-jack pine FRES11 Spruce-fir FRES12 Longleaf-slash pine FRES13 Loblolly-shortleaf pine FRES14 Oak-pine FRES15 Oak-hickory FRES16 Oak-gum-cypress FRES17 Elm-ash-cottonwood FRES18 Maple-beech-birch FRES19 Aspen-birch FRES20 Douglas-fir FRES21 Ponderosa pine FRES22 Western white pine FRES23 Fir-spruce FRES24 Hemlock-Sitka spruce FRES25 Larch FRES26 Lodgepole pine FRES27 Redwood FRES28 Western hardwoods FRES29 Sagebrush FRES30 Desert shrub FRES31 Shinnery FRES32 Texas savanna FRES33 Southwestern shrubsteppe FRES34 Chaparral-mountain shrub FRES35 Pinyon-juniper FRES36 Mountain grasslands FRES37 Mountain meadows FRES38 Plains grasslands FRES39 Prairie

 FRES40 Desert grasslands FRES41 Wet grasslands FRES42 Annual grasslands FRES44 Alpine STATES : AL YK MEXICO BLM PHYSIOGRAPHIC REGIONS : 1 Northern Pacific Border 2 Cascade Mountains 3 Southern Pacific Border 4 Sierra Mountains 5 Columbia Plateau 6 Upper Basin and Range 7 Lower Basin and Range 8 Northern Rocky Mountains 9 Middle Rocky Mountains 10 Wyoming Basin 11 Southern Rocky Mountains 12 Colorado Plateau 13 Rocky Mountain Piedmont 15 Black Hills Uplift 16 Upper Missouri Basin and Broken Lands KUCHLER PLANT ASSOCIATIONS : Red foxes probably occur in most Kuchler plant associations.

SAF COVER TYPES : Red foxes probably occur in most SAF cover types. SRM (RANGELAND) COVER TYPES : Red foxes probably occur in most SRM (rangeland) cover types. PLANT COMMUNITIES : Although red foxes can survive in many habitats ranging from arctic barren areas to temperate deserts, they prefer areas with a mixture of plant communities [ 1 , 5 , 30 , 36 ]. Red foxes are commonly associated with grasslands, boreal forests, coniferous forests, deciduous forests, and tundra [ 30 ]. In developed regions, red foxes are generally associated with agricultural areas where woodlots are interspersed with cropland and pastureland [ 36 ]. Schofield [ 27 ] found that red foxes in Michigan preferred lowland brush and oak (Quercus spp.) woodlands but avoided swamps. In the Sierra Nevada, California, red foxes are found primarily in upper elevation forests associated with the Sierra Nevada Crest. During the summer they prefer meadows interspersed with mature Jeffrey pine (Pinus jeffreyi), lodgepole pine (P.

contorta), or Shasta red fir (Abies magnifica var. shastensis) forests. In winter red foxes prefer mixed-conifer and ponderosa pine (P. ponderosa) forests [ 35 ]. In British Columbia red foxes are most common in mixed forests that are interspersed with meadows. Iowa red foxes are most numerous in hilly, wooded regions, but they are also common in the flatter prairie corn belt. One of the densest populations of red foxes in North America is in southwestern Wisconsin where they inhabit areas which contain a mosaic of woodlots, croplands, pasturelands, and stream bottoms [ 1 ]. BIOLOGICAL DATA AND HABITAT REQUIREMENTS WILDLIFE SPECIES: Vulpes vulpes TIMING OF MAJOR LIFE HISTORY EVENTS : Breeding season - Red foxes are monestrous [ 1 , 5 ]. The red fox breeding season generally lasts from December to March [ 1 , 5 , 36 ]. However, the onset of breeding varies in different parts of red fox range, earlier in the south and later in the north. Breeding in Ontario occurs from late January to late March [ 36 ].

Breeding peaks occur from late December to early January in Iowa, late January in Wisconsin, and late January and early February in New York. The earliest recorded breeding dates for red foxes in the United States are early December and the latest are in April [ 1 ]. It is not known whether red foxes in the wild are normally polygamous. However, it is common to see several males near a female during estrus [ 36 ]. Estrus last 1 to 6 days. Females may breed at 10 months of age. However, not all females breed their first year. Most males are capable of breeding their first year [ 5 ]. Gestation and litter size - Gestation usually lasts 51 to 53 days. Litters of four to seventeen have been reported, with a mean of five [ 5 , 13 , 36 ]. Generally only one litter is produced per year. Development of young - Newborn pups remain at the den for the first month of life. They first open their eyes at 9 days of age. Red fox parents may move the pups from one den to another as many as three times before they are 6 weeks old.

Litters are sometimes split with half the litter residing in one den and half in another. Pups are weaned at 8 to 10 weeks. When pups are 10 weeks old they may travel short distances from the den without being accompanied by a parent. At about 12 weeks of age pups begin to explore their parents' home range independently or with a parent [ 5 ]. Dispersal - By mid-September or early October pups begin to disperse. Male red foxes usually disperse before females and move greater distances [ 5 ]. Most red foxes disperse from their parents' home range before their first birthday [ 36 ]. The mean distance dispersed by males in Iowa and Illinois was 18 miles (29 km) [ 23 ]. In Ontario, straight-line dispersal distances as great as 76 miles (122 km) were recorded, but most males dispersed a straight-line distance of about 19 miles (30 km) during the first 15 days after leaving the den. Females dispersed an average of 5 miles (8 km) in Ontario and 10 miles (16 km) in Iowa and Illinois [ 23 , 36 ].

Social organization - The red fox social unit is comprised of pups and either one male and one female or a group of one male and several females [ 21 ]. When a group contains several females they are generally kin. In much of North America, social groups are just pairs. Where groups include additional adult females, the largest groups occur in rural-suburban habitat and average more than three females. Only a minority of females in large groups rear pups. Nonbreeding females tend to be socially subordinate to breeding ones, and some act as helpers. Where more than one female breeds within a social group, communal denning and nursing are common [ 36 ]. Life span - Most red foxes in the wild live 3 or 4 years [ 1 ]. PREFERRED HABITAT : Red foxes can survive in a variety of habitats. They select areas of greatest diversity and use edges heavily [ 1 , 5 , 36 ]. Dense forests are usually avaoided. In rural areas they prefer diverse habitats consisting of intermixed cropland, rolling farmland, brush, pastureland, mixed hardwood stands, and edges of open areas that provide suitable hunting grounds.

Red foxes may also inhabit suburban areas, particularly parks, golf courses, cemeteries, and large gardens [ 5 ]. Home range - The size of individual red fox home range varies. Home ranges are generally not more than 5 miles (8 km) in diameter. During the period of parturition and for a few weeks afterwards, adult red foxes usually remain within 0.5 mile (0.8 km) of the den. Ranges are largest during the winter [ 1 ]. Red fox home ranges tend to be elliptical [ 5 ]. Storm [ 32 ] found that one adult male had a home range 1.9 miles (3.1 km) long by 1.4 miles (2.2 km) wide. Schofield [ 27 ] followed tracks in the snow and estimated red fox home ranges to be 1 to 1.5 miles (1.6-2.4 km) in radius in Wisconsin.

In Ontario red fox home ranges in farmland averaged 2,224 acres (900 ha) but ranged from 1,235 to 4,940 acres (500-2,000 ha) [ 36 ]. In the arctic, home ranges are as large as 8,400 acres (3,400 ha) [ 16 ]. Adult foxes may remain in the same home range for life [ 1 ]. COVER REQUIREMENTS : Dens - Red foxes may dig their own den; more often they use an abandoned woodchuck (Marmota spp.) or American badger (Taxidea taxus) burrow [ 1 , 5 ]. Dens are prepared in late winter at which time the female restricts her activities to the vicinity of the den site. There is a preference for loose soils on well-drained sites near or within vegetative cover. Most red fox dens were located on slopes in Iowa, on southerly facing slopes in woods in Wisconsin [ 25 ], in sandy soils near the edges of woods in New York, and on islands in Maryland marshes [ 1 ].

The same den may be used for many generations, with burrows being added each year. Most dens have at least two openings. Red fox dens with up to 19 entrances have been found in Alaska [ 5 ]. Foraging cover - Red foxes often hunt in open grassy areas, especially along streams [ 34 ]. Hiding and thermal cover - In agricultural areas, shelterbelts and fencerows are used for hiding and thermal cover as well as travel corridors [ 3 ]. FOOD HABITS : Red foxes are omnivorous. They eat a variety of animals and plant materials depending mainly on the availability of the food source. Small mammals, birds, fruits, and insects comprise the bulk of the diet [ 5 ]. Voles (Microtus spp.), mice (Muridae), woodchucks (Marmota monax) and several lagomorph species (eastern cottontails [Sylvilagus floridanus], snowshoe hares [Lepus americanus], and black-tailed jackrabbits [L. californicus]) are often preferred [ 36 ].

In New York and New England, meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus) were the most commonly eaten prey item. Rabbits (Sylvilagus spp.) were also commonly eaten. Throughout most of the year in Ontario, meadow voles are the major prey, constituting as much as 50 percent of the red fox's diet [ 36 ].

Red foxes may also eat squirrels (Spermophilus spp.), young Virginia opossums (Didelphis virginiana), raccoons (Procyon lotor), skunks (Mustelidae), domestic cats (Felis catus), domestic dogs (Canis familiaris), weasels (Mustela spp.), mink (Mustela vison), common muskrats (Ondatra zibethicus), shrews (Soricidae), moles (Talpidae), common porcupines (Erethizon dorsatum), pocket gophers (Geomyidae), songbirds, crows (Corvus spp.), ring-necked pheasants (Phasianus colchicus), northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus), grouse (Tetraoninae), waterfowl (Anseriformes), wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo), domestic chickens, American woodcocks (Scolopax minor), hawks (Accipitridae), owls (Strigiformes), bird eggs, turtles, and turtle eggs.

Plant foods such as grasses, sedges (Carex spp.), nuts, berries, pears, apples, grapes, and corn, wheat, and many other grains are eaten by red foxes. Livestock and big game are sometimes eaten as carrion [ 1 , 5 , 30 , 36 ]. Seasonal variations are prominent in the diet of red foxes. The diet generally changes from mostly animal matter in the winter to insects and fruit in the summer and fall [ 5 ]. Red foxes show a strong preference for certain wild berries and fruits. During seasons of abundance, blueberries (Vaccinium spp.), raspberries (Rubus spp.) and black cherries (Prunus serotina) may constitute almost 100 percent of the diet [ 1 ]. PREDATORS : Gray wolves (Canis lupus) and lynx (Lynx lynx) sometimes kill red foxes [ 1 , 5 ]. Other large predators such as mountain lions (Felis concolor), bobcats (Lynx rufus), and coyotes (Canis latrans) probably also occasionally kill red foxes.

Humans hunt and trap red foxes [ 1 , 5 , 36 ]. MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : Habitat management - To enhance or maintain habitat quality for red foxes, managers should maintain woodlots in agricultural areas with minimal grazing or disturbance; this ensures diversity of understory vegetation and foods. Establishment of fruit producing shrubs and trees should be encouraged. Shelterbelts and fencerows should be maintained to provide cover and travel corridors [ 3 ]. Timber harvest areas should have irregular shapes to maximize edge effect [ 5 ]. Diseases - Red foxes are particularly susceptible to rabies. Rabies may cause from 60 to 80 percent mortality in a population during an outbreak. Red foxes are also susceptible to canine distemper, parvovirus, toxoplasmosis, canine hepatitis, tularemia, leptospirosis, staphylococcal infections, encephalitis viruses, and mange [ 2 , 5 , 33 , 36 ]. Red foxes host a large number of parasites (hookworms and roundworms) typical of carnivores that feed on small prey [ 36 ].

Studies of the effects of red fox predation in the prairie pothole region of North America have indicated that although the consumption of mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) may not be high, the effect on the mallard population may be critical [ 7 , 26 ]. Red fox predation on mice and woodchucks has been beneficial to most agricultural areas. Red foxes may play a role in controlling population explosions of rodents and rabbits [ 36 ]. FIRE EFFECTS AND USE WILDLIFE SPECIES: Vulpes vulpes DIRECT FIRE EFFECTS ON ANIMALS : Red foxes are very mobile and probably escape most fires. There are no reports of direct red fox mortality due to fire [ 19 ]. HABITAT RELATED FIRE EFFECTS : Red foxes commonly inhabit areas with a high proportion of edge. Fire that creates a mosaic of burned and unburned areas is probably the most beneficial to red foxes. Periodic fire may help to maintain habitat for many prey species of red fox. Many small mammal populations increase rapidly in response to an increase in food availability subsequent to burning [ 14 , 19 , 22 ].

In Alaska red foxes should benefit during the first 10 to 20 years following fire due to the increase in northern red-backed voles (Clethrionomys rutilus) and meadow voles [ 38 ]. Fire often improves hare and rabbit forage quality and quantity for two or more growing seasons [ 19 ]. Wagle [ 37 ] reported that fire suppression in grasslands is detrimental to populations of small bird and mammal herbivores due to organic matter accumulation and reduced plant vigor. Many fruiting shrubs that are important late summer and fall foods of red foxes such as blackberries (Rubus spp.), blueberries, and raspberries, do not fruit the year of burning but produce the most fruit 2 to 4 years after fire pruning [ 14 , 19 ]. FIRE USE : Prescribed fire that favors small mammals by enhancing forage and fruit production would probably maximize the abundance of food for red foxes. Red foxes would probably benefit from prescribed fire that increases the proportion of edge and the complexity of the vegetation mosaic.

FIRE REGIMES : Find fire regime information for the plant communities in which this species may occur by entering the species name in the FEIS home page under "Find Fire Regimes". REFERENCES WILDLIFE SPECIES: Vulpes vulpes REFERENCES : 1 . Ables, E. D. 1971. Ecology of the red fox in North America. In: Fox, M. W., ed. The wild canids. New York: Van Nostand Reinhold Co: 216-235. [25263] 2 . Addison, E. M.; Baker, I. K.; Hunter, D. B. 1987. Diseases and parasites of furbearers. In: Novak, M.; Baker, J. A.; Obbard, M. E.; Malloch, B., eds. Wild furbearer management and conservation in North America. North Bay, ON: Ontario Trappers Association: [Pages unknown]. [25265] 3 . Allen, A. W. 1987. The relationship between habitat and furbearers. In: Novak, Milan; Baker, J.

A.; Obbard, M. E.; Malloch, Bruce, eds. Wild furbearer management and conservation in North America. Ottawa, ON: Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources: 164-179. [24997] 4 . Bernard, Stephen R.; Brown, Kenneth F. 1977. Distribution of mammals, reptiles, and amphibians by BLM physiographic regions and A.W. Kuchler's associations for the eleven western states. Tech. Note 301. Denver, CO: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management. 169 p. [434] 5 . Chapman, Joseph A.; Feldhamer, George A., eds. 1982. Wild mammals of North America. Baltimore, MD: The Johns Hopkins University Press. 1147 p. [21085] 6 . Churcher, Charles S. 1959. The specific status of the New World red fox. Journal of Mammalogy. 40(4): 513-520. [25373] 7 .

Cowardin, Lewis M.; Gilmer, David S.; Shaiffer, Charles W. 1985. Mallard recruitment in the agricultural environment of North Dakota. Wildlife Monographs. 92: 1-37. [25560] 8 . Eyre, F. H., ed. 1980. Forest cover types of the United States and Canada. Washington, DC: Society of American Foresters. 148 p. [905] 9 . Garrison, George A.; Bjugstad, Ardell J.; Duncan, Don A.; [and others]. 1977. Vegetation and environmental features of forest and range ecosystems. Agric. Handb. 475. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. 68 p. [998] 10 . Godin, A. J. 1977. Wild mammals of New England. Baltimore, MD: The Johns Hopkins University Press. 304 p. [25267] 11 . Hall, E. Raymond. 1981. The mammals of North America. 2nd ed. Vol. 2.

New York: John Wiley and Sons. 1271 p. [14765] 12 . Harris, Stephen. 1977. Distribution, habitat utilization and age structure of a suburban fox (Vulpes vulpes) population. Mammal Review. 7(1): 25-39. [25558] 13 . Holcomb, Larry C. 1965. Large litter size of red foc. Journal of Mammalogy. 46(3): 530. [25374] 14 . Hon, Tip. 1981. Effects of prescribed fire on furbearers in the South. In: Wood, Gene W., ed. Prescribed fire and wildlife in southern forests: Proceedings of a symposium; 1981 April 6-8; Myrtle Beach, SC. Georgetown, SC: Clemson University, Belle W. Baruch Forest Science Institute: 121-128. [14818] 15 . Johnson, Douglas H.; Sargeant, Alan B.; Greenwood, Raymond J. 1989.

Importance of individual species of predators on nesting success of ducks in the Canadian prairie pothole region. Canadian Journal of Zoology. 67: 291-297. [25436] 16 . Jones, Donald M.; Theberge, John B. 1982. Summer home range and habitat utilization of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) in a tundra habitat, northwest British Columbia. Canadian Journal of Zoology. 60: 807-812. [25372] 17 . Korschgen, Leroy J. 1959. Food habits of the red fox in Missouri. Journal of Wildlife Management. 23(2): 168-176. [25371] 18 . Kuchler, A. W. 1964. Manual to accompany the map of potential vegetation of the conterminous United States. Special Publication No. 36. New York: American Geographical Society. 77 p. [1384] 19 . Landers, J. Larry. 1987.

Prescribed burning for managing wildlife in southeastern pine forests. In: Dickson, James G.; Maughan, O. Eugene, eds. Managing southern forests for wildlife and fish: a proceedings; [Date of conference unknown]; [Location of conference unknown]. Gen. Tech. Rep. SO-65. New Orleans, LA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Forest Experiment Station: 19-27. [11562] 20 . Lockie, J. D. 1959. The estimation of the food of foxes. Journal of Wildlife Management. 23(2): 224-227. [25370] 21 . McDonald, D. W. 1980. Social factors affecting reproduction amongst red foxes (Vulpes vulpes). In: Zimen, E., ed. The red fox. Biogeographic Vol. 18. The Hague, Netherlands: Dr. W. Junk: 123-175. [25266] 22 . Nichols, R.; Menke, J. 1984.

Effects of chaparral shrubland fire on terrestrial wildlife. In: DeVries, Johannes J., ed. Shrublands in California: literature review and research needed for management. Contribution No. 191. Davis, CA: University of California, Water Resources Center: 74-97. [5706] 23 . Phillips, R. L.; Andrews, R. D.; Storm, G. L.; Bishop, R. A. 1972. Dispersal and mortality of red foxes. Journal of Wildlife Management. 36(2): 237-248. [25433] 24 . Pils, C. M.; Martin, M. A. 1978. Population dynamics, predator-prey relationships and management of the red fox in Wisconsin. Report No. 105. Madison, WI: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. 56 p. [25268] 25 . Richards, S. H.; Hines, R. L. 1953. Wisconsin fox populations. Technical Wildlife Bulletin Note. Madison, WI: Wisconsin Conservation Department. 78 p.

[25269] 26 . Sargeant, Alan B. 1978. Red fox prey demands and implications to prairie duck production. Journal of Wildlife Management. 42(3): 520-527. [25435] 27 . Schofield, Raymond D. 1960. A thousand miles of fox trails in Michigan's ruffed grouse range. Journal of Wildlife Management. 24(4): 432-434. [25434] 28 . Sheldon, William G. 1949. Reproductive behavior of foxes in New York State. Journal of Mammalogy. 30(3): 236-246. [25369] 29 . Shiflet, Thomas N., ed. 1994. Rangeland cover types of the United States. Denver, CO: Society for Range Management. 152 p. [23362] 30 . Spowart, Richard A.; Samson, Fred B. 1986. Carnivores.

In: Cooperrider, Allan Y.; Boyd, Raymond J.; Stuart, Hanson R., eds. Inventory and monitoring of wildlife habitat. Denver, CO: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, Service Center: 475-496. [13526] 31 . Stephenson, Robert O.; Grangaard, Daniel V.; Burch, John. 1991. Lynx, Felis lynx, predation on red foxes, Vulpes vulpes, caribou, Rangifer tarandus, and Dall sheep, Ovis dalli, in Alaska. Canadian Field-Naturalist. 105(2): 255-262. [25559] 32 . Storm, G. L. 1965. Movements and activities of foxes as determined by radio-tracking. Journal of Wildlife Management. 29(1): 1-13. [25375] 33 . Trainer, Daniel O.; Hale, James B. 1969. Sarcoptic mange in red foxes and coyotes of Wisconsin.

Bulletin of the Wildlife Disease Association. 5: 387-391. [25437] 34 . Van Gelden, Richard George. 1982. Mammals of the National Parks. Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins University Press. 310 p. [20893] 35 . Verner, Jared; Boss, Allan S., tech. coords. 1980. California wildlife and their habitats: western Sierra Nevada. Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-37. Berkeley, CA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Forest and Range Experiment Station. 439 p. [10237] 36 . Voigt, Dennis R. 1987. Red fox. In: Novak, M.; Baker, J. A.; Obbard, M. E.; Malloch, B., eds. Wild furbearer management and conservation in North America. North Bay, ON: Ontario Trappers Association: 380-393. [25264] 37 . Wagle, R. F. 1981.

Fire: its effects on plant succession and wildlife in the Southwest. Tucson, AZ: University of Arizona. 82 p. [4031] 38 . Kelleyhouse, David G. 1979. Fire/wildlife relationships in Alaska. In: Hoefs, M.; Russell, D., eds. Wildlife and wildfire: Proceedings of workshop; 1979 November 27-28; Whitehorse, YT. Whitehorse, YT: Yukon Wildlife Branch: 1-36. [14071] 39 . U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service. 2016. Endangered Species Program, [Online].

Available: [86564] Vulpes vulpes (Cross Fox, Red Fox, Silver Fox) Home » Vulpes vulpes (Cross Fox, Red Fox, Silver Fox) Vulpes vulpes Red Fox, Silver Fox, Cross Fox French Synonym(s): Canis vulpes Linnaeus, 1758 Taxonomic Notes: A recent extensive global phylogeny of Red Foxes that included ~1,000 samples from across the species’ range found that Red Foxes originated in the Middle East, then radiated out, and that Red Foxes in North America are genetically distinct and probably merit recognition as a distinct species (Vulpes fulva) (Statham et al. 2014). Macdonald, D., Reynolds, J. & Weber, J. Facilitator/Compiler(s): Thresher, S. Justification: The Red Fox has the widest geographical range of any member of the order Carnivora, being distributed widely across the entire northern hemisphere, and has been introduced elsewhere. Red Foxes are adaptable and opportunistic omnivores and are capable of successfully occupying urban areas.

In many habitats, foxes appear to be closely associated with people, even thriving in intensive agricultural areas. Previously published Red List assessments: 2008 – Least Concern (LC) Geographic Range [top] Range Description: The Red Fox has the widest geographical range of any member of the order Carnivora (covering nearly 70 million km²) being distributed across the entire northern hemisphere from the Arctic Circle to southern North America, Europe, North Africa, the Asiatic steppes, India, and Japan. Not found in Iceland, the Arctic islands, or some parts of Siberia. Red Foxes are generally considered extinct in the Republic of Korea where there have been several mammal surveys in recent years (including the DMZ) that have not shown any evidence of foxes. The European subspecies was introduced into the eastern United States (where they were relatively scarce and the Gray Fox Urocyon cinereoargenteus common) and Canada in the 17th century for fox hunting; however, there appears to be limited evidence for any meaningful mixing of introduced European foxes and those in North America (i.e., no Eurasian haplotypes found in foxes sampled; Statham et al. 2012).

The species was also introduced to Australia in the 1800s, and to Tasmania in the late 1990s (although there is evidence that an eradication campaign for Red Foxes on Tasmania has proved effective; see Caley et al. 2015). Elsewhere introduced to the Falkland Islands (Malvinas) and to the Isle of Man (UK), although they never properly established on the Isle of Man (Reynolds and Short 2003) and may subsequently have disappeared.

Countries occurrence: Native: Afghanistan; Albania; Algeria; Andorra; Armenia (Armenia); Austria; Azerbaijan; Bangladesh; Belgium; Bhutan; Bosnia and Herzegovina; Bulgaria; Canada; Croatia; Cyprus; Czech Republic; Denmark; Egypt; Estonia; Faroe Islands; Finland; France; Georgia; Germany; Gibraltar; Greece; Greenland; Holy See (Vatican City State); Hungary; Iceland; India; Iran, Islamic Republic of; Iraq; Ireland; Israel; Italy; Japan; Jordan; Kazakhstan; Korea, Democratic People's Republic of; Kuwait; Kyrgyzstan; Latvia; Lebanon; Libya; Liechtenstein; Lithuania; Luxembourg; Macedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic of; Malta; Monaco; Mongolia; Montenegro; Morocco; Myanmar; Nepal; Netherlands; Norway; Oman; Pakistan; Poland; Portugal; Qatar; Romania; Russian Federation; San Marino; Saudi Arabia; Serbia (Serbia); Slovakia; Slovenia; Spain; Sudan; Svalbard and Jan Mayen; Sweden; Switzerland; Syrian Arab Republic; Tajikistan; Tunisia; Turkey; Turkmenistan; United Arab Emirates; United Kingdom; United States (Georgia); Uzbekistan; Yemen Possibly extinct: Population [top] Population: Red Fox density is highly variable.

In the United Kingdom, density varies between one fox/40 km² in Scotland and 1.17/km² in Wales, but can be as high as 30 foxes/km² in some urban areas where food is superabundant (Harris 1977, Macdonald and Newdick 1982, Harris and Rayner 1986). Social group density is one family per km² in farmland, but may vary between 0.2-5 families/km² in the suburbs (Macdonald 1981). Fox density in mountainous rural areas of Switzerland is three foxes/km² (Meia 1994). Murdoch (2009) recorded 0.17 foxes/km² in the grassland/semi desert steppe of Mongolia. In northern boreal forests and Arctic tundra, they occur at densities of 0.1 foxes/km², and in southern Ontario, Canada at 1 fox/km² (Voigt 1987). The average social group density in the Swiss mountains is 0.37 families/km² (Weber et al.

1999). The pre-breeding British fox population has been estimated at ~240,000 individuals (Harris et al. 1995). Mean number of foxes killed per unit area by gamekeepers has increased steadily since the early 1960s in Britain, but it is not clear to what extent this reflects an increase in fox abundance. Although an increase in fox numbers following successful rabies control by vaccination was widely reported in Europe (e.g., fox bag in Germany has risen from 250,000 in 1982–1983 to 600,000 in 2000–2001), no direct measures of population density have been taken. Current Population Trend: Habitat and Ecology [top] Habitat and Ecology: Red Foxes have been recorded in habitats as diverse as tundra, desert (though not extreme deserts) and forest, as well as in city centres (including London, Paris, Stockholm, etc.). Natural habitat is dry, mixed landscape, with abundant "edge" of scrub and woodland.

They are also abundant on moorlands, mountains (even above the treeline, known to cross alpine passes), sand dunes and farmland from sea level to 4,500 m. In the United Kingdom, they generally prefer mosaic patchworks of scrub, woodland and farmland. Red Foxes flourish particularly well in urban areas. They are most common in residential suburbs consisting of privately owned, low-density housing and are less common where industry, commerce or council rented housing predominates (Harris and Smith 1987). In many habitats, foxes appear to be closely associated with people, even thriving in intensive agricultural areas. Systems: Use and Trade [top] Use and Trade: The number of foxes raised for fur (although much reduced since the 1900s) exceeds that of any other species, except possibly American Mink (Neovison vison) (Obbard 1987). Types farmed are particularly colour variants ("white", "silver" and "cross") that are rare in the wild.

Worldwide trade in ranched Red Fox pelts (mainly "silver" pelts from Finland) was 700,000 in 1988–1989 (excluding internal consumption in the USSR). Active fur trade in Britain in 1970s was negligible. Threats [top] Major Threat(s): Threats to this species are highly localized and include habitat degradation, loss, and fragmentation, and exploitation, and direct and indirect persecution. For example, a regional red list assessment in Mongolia (Clark and Munkhbat 2006) classified the species as Near Threatened mainly due to overhunting, while in South Korea, Red Foxes have experienced declines due to habitat loss and poaching and is generally considered extinct (Yu et al. 2012). However, their general versatility and eclectic diet are likely to ensure their persistence despite changes in landscape and prey base. Culling may be able to reduce numbers well below carrying capacity in large regions (Heydon and Reynolds 2000), but no known situations exist where this currently threatens species persistence on any geographical scale.

Red Foxes have caused considerable damage where they have been introduced; their impacts on Australian fauna has been particularly well documented; control takes place by setting baits impregnated with 1080 (sodium fluoroacetate). Virtual Zoo - Canis latrans Canis latrans Genus: Canis Species: C. latrans Canis latrans is the scientific name for a Wild Coyote. This animal belongs to the order of carnivores and the class of canidae, which means that coyotes have a back bone. Coyotes are a member of the dog family including dogs, wolves, and foxes. You can find coyotes anywhere in the world except for Antarctica, but some coyotes, like the Ubiquitous coyotes, are found everywhere throughout Northern America, New England to Alaska, and south of Mexico to Panama. Coyotes are originally ranged in the northwest of the United States. In the last 200 years they have been extending their range. But the most common places are in New England, Eastern Canada, and Florida.

They have adapted to the changes that have been caused by human occupation, and the wide range of the people and the habitats that include forests, swamps, deserts, and grasslands. ewrwr A coyote has a life span of about 15 years in the wild and there are only 5-20 percent of coyotes pups survive a year. A number of young can last from 2-12, and a coyote's birth interval lasts for one year. Coyotes have been one of the most controversial of all non-game animals. Since 1891 California had nearly about 500,000 coyotes reported at a cost of about $30 million. The ecosystem of a coyote helps keep many mammals populations in check that includes mice and rabbits. werw Wild Coyotes weigh about 15-45 lbs, and the length of a coyote is from 75-100 centimeters long. There shoulder height is from 15-20 inches from the ground, and the length of their tail is 40-60 inches. They are a medium size mammal such as a collie dog.

Coyotes are smaller than a gray wolf, but they are a lot bigger than a fox. The coyote's ears are in relation to their head and to their mussels. These animals have feet that are relatively small for the size of it body. The coloration of a coyote is from a range of a grayish brown and a yellowish gray on the upper part of the body. Then where their bellies are it is a whitish color and then the forelegs, muzzle, feet, and the side of their heads is a reddish brown color. Coyotes have a fulvous colored under fur that is long and has a black- tipped guarded hair that produces a black dorsal stripe that has a dark cross on the shoulder area of the animal. Then the tail has a bottled shape with a black spot on the tip. They have yellow eyes and they have a round pupil like human do. Finally the coyote's nose is the color black. werwer There nose senses a smell that is highly developed and is used to detect prey and carrions. These animals are versatile in their eating habits. Coyotes are carnivorous animals, so there diet is 90 percent of mammalians and they are omnivores.

The type of animals that they eat are primarily small mammals like rabbits, birds, snakes, insects and mice and a lot of other invertebrates. Coyotes also eat plants such as strawberries, apples, sasparilla, and leaves that are from balsam fir and white cedar. Part of a coyote's diet includes fruits and vegetables in the winter and fall months. These animals can hunt in many different ways such as when a coyote goes on a "mousing" expedition; they start to slowly stalk through the grassy hills and then start to sniff around trying to get the mouse. When the coyote finds its prey it takes all four legs and holds them together stiffly. Then the coyote stiffens and then pounces on it are pray. werwer Coyotes are very secretive animals. They keep their young in a den because when there pups they can be killed by predators and competitors such as mountain lions, and wolves. Overall, I learned that coyotes are very interesting animals. They are very protective of their young and of there- selves. They can live up to about 15 years old and there number of young can be 2-12 which is about 6 avg.

Whenever a coyote howls it is communicating with the other coyotes in their area. As a coyote barks it is thought to be threatened by another animal. So, it barks to protect the din (pups) and to protect them self. Finally when this animal starts to huffier it is usually used for calling their pups without making a great deal of noise. Coyotes have so many ways to talk and translate with other animals.

werwer Fox (Vulpes Vulpes) - Animals - A-Z Animals Five groups that classify all living things Animalia A group of animals within the animal kingdom Chordata A group of animals within a pylum Mammalia A group of animals within a class Carnivora A group of animals within an order Canidae A group of animals within a family Vulpini Comprised of the genus followed by the species Vulpes vulpes The animal group that the species belongs to Mammal What kind of foods the animal eats Carnivore How long (L) or tall (H) the animal is 40cm - 83cm (16in - 33in) The measurement of how heavy the animal is 5kg - 11kg (11lbs - 24lbs) The fastest recorded speed of the animal 48km/h (29mph) How long the animal lives for 3 - 11 years Whether the animal is solitary or sociable Solitary The likelihood of the animal becoming extinct Threatened The colour of the animal's coat or markings Brown, Black, Tan, Red The protective layer of the animal Fur The specific area where the animal lives Woodland areas and urban

 parks The average number of babies born at once 5 Other animals that hunt and eat the animal Human, Bears, Eagles Characteristics unique to the animal Pointed ears and long bushy tail Fox Location Fox The fox is a scavenger carnivours dog , generally found in urban city areas in the northern Hemisphere.

The fox is a nocturnal mammal , meaning that the fox only goes out a night to hunt for prey. Wild foxes tend live for around 6-7 years, but some foxes have been known to be older than 13 in captivity. The wild fox hunts for the mouse and other small mammals and birds , but foxes appear to enjoy all species of insect. A fox is generally smaller than other members of the dog family like wolves, jackals and domestic dogs . Foxes can be a pest in the cities as foxes are often seen tearing into rubbish. There are around 12 different species of fox found around the world, which include the urban fox or red fox , the beautifully white Arctic fox , the sand fox which is a light-coloured fox found in desert regions and the tiny yet big eared fennec fox. Foxes in Europe have been the victims of fox hunting, an extremely controversial sport that involves humans on horses hunting out the fox , lead by a pack of hound dogs which would find the fox by following the scent of the fox . Fox hunting in this manner is now illegal, although it is still allowed if the sport only contains humans on horseback, without the use of their clever but somewhat vicious dogs.

The fox is also found in the more rural areas of the Northern hemisphere, although fox numbers in the countryside are outnumbered by fox numbers in cities as due to the foxes scavenging nature, food is more readily available in the urban streets. Share This Article Red Fox - Knowledge Base LookSeek.com Knowledge Base LookSeek.com Title :Red Fox Category: North American Mammals Facts about Red Fox, "Scientific name for Red Fox is Vulpes vulpes". The Red Fox is a Vulpes type of fox that comes from the Canidae family. The Red Fox hail from smaller-sized forerunners from Eurasia, and they are the largest of the exact foxes and the most copious affiliate of the Carnivora. The Red Fox have been spread across the whole Northern Hemisphere, ranging from the Arctic Circle to Central America, North Africa and Asia. The Red Fox has increased beside human growth, having been set up in Australia, where it is measured injurious to native animals and bird populations. Due to the presence of the Red Fox variety in Australia, it is incorporated amid the list of the 100 worst enveloping species of the world.

Features of Red Fox The Red Fox is a big-size animal that attains a body length, ranging from 18 inches (45.7 cm) to 35 inches (88.9 cm) up to tail with the length between 13 inches (33.02) and 21 inches (53.34) when matured. An adult Red Fox attains a height between 14 inches (35.56 cm) and 20 inches (50.8 cm) at the shoulder, with the ear length that ranges from 3 inches (7.6 cm) to 5 inches (12.7 cm) and the hind foot length between 5 inches (12.7 cm) and 7 inches (18 cm). The male Red Fox breeds are heavier by 15 % to 20 % than the females with a body mass between 4.9 pounds and 30.9 pounds.

An adult Red Fox has a head measuring between 5.1 inches (12.95 cm) and 6 9/16 inches (16.7 cm), whereas the head of the female fox measures between 5 inches (12.7 cm) and 6 5/16 inches (16 cm). The length of the front foot print of the Red Fox has a dimension of 2.4 inches (6 cm), with a breadth of 1.8 inches (4.5 cm), whereas its back foot print has a length of 2.2 inches (5.6 cm) and a breadth of 1.5 inches (3.81 cm). These foxes trot at a velocity, ranging from 6 to 13 kilometers per hour (3.7 to 8 mph), and have a maximum sprinting velocity of 50 kilometers per hour (31 mph). They boast a pace between 9.8 inches (24.9 cm) to 13.8 inches (35 cm) while walking at a normal speed. The Red Fox has a lengthened body and comparatively short limbs.

The tail of the Red Fox is longer than half of its body length, and it is fluffy and attains the earth while in a standing position. The pupils of the animal are oval in shape and are vertically oriented. They have nictitating membranes, but move only while the eyes are closed. The front feet have five paws, whereas their hind feet contain only four paws and without dewclaws. The Red Fox are extremely nimble, being competent of jumping more than a 2-meter fence or 6 foot fence, and they are good swimmers, too. Usually, female Red Foxes boast four pairs of teats, though females with 7, 9 and 10 number of teats are common. A male Red Fox has smaller testes than the foxes of the Arctic. Usually, Red foxes are found together in small groups or pairs, which include families, such as a mated couple and their juvenile, or a male fox with many female foxes having affinity ties. The juveniles of the mated couple stay with their parents to help in taking care of new kits.

Even though the Red Fox is inclined to slaughter smaller predators, as well as other fox varieties, it is susceptible to attack from bigger predators, such as coyotes, wolves, golden jackals and average-sized and big-sized felines. Diet of Red Fox The Red Fox mostly feeds on little rodents, although it may also feed on game birds, rabbits, invertebrates, reptiles and juvenile ungulates. Sometimes they also feed on vegetable matter and fruit. Reproduction of Red Fox Red foxes mate during the spring season and they used to mate once in a year. The reproductive organs of a female Red Fox changes in size and shape earlier than two months of oestrus, usually in December. Normally, the litter size ranges from four to six kits, and they are born deaf, blind, and toothless, with dark tan feathery fur. The mother Red Fox stays with the kits for 2 to 3 weeks, during this stage, the father fox nourishes the mother fox. The average life span of the Red Fox ranges from 2 years to 5 years in the wild.

Question: Cannis Vulpes is the scientific name for which animal?
Answer: Fox